Open Thread Wednesday 5/13/09

Has there been any discussion on this board of the soccer players who constantly hog almost all or all of the Cadman Plaza field? I was there a couple of weekends ago with my kids and there was not on free inch of turf to play on. I set up to play soccer in a small section of the corner and the players said “you’re going to get hurt”. They said it’s basically first come, first served. Anybody else encounter this problem? Just don’t want to reinvent the wheel if people are already organizing a campaign to get the players off or to share more of the field at least. I fear some child is going to get injured by a fast moving flying ball at some point. Being my cynical self, I don’t imagine going to that washroom area behind the memorial to get a parks employee will do anything.

Just wanted to thank everyone who gave me advice last week about calming a new dog with daytime separation anxiety. While we still have some work ahead of us, we’ve already gone from 8 full hours of barking a day to only 2. I’m sure my neighbors are grateful!

I noticed the the soccer players. They seemed very well organized with teams each having their own colored vests. They seemed like they were from a foreign country, perhaps Haiti because I heard French being spoken among them. And they were good. While I was entertained by their adept playing, they did seem to take up a huge swathe of turf. And the seriousness of their playing meant that they probably could run into people who were nearby.

So while I’m kind of against an organized sport taking place on the turf, there were a lot of players and if they were to lie out on blankets they probably would have taken up about the same amount of space.

Biff, I can certainly understand your annoyance about not being able to enjoy the soccer fields with your kids, but public space is public space, and I honestly don’t see how you’d have a case for driving those players out, or even limiting their playing time. What do you think would be a good solution?

No, wait: if these guys are taking up the field EVERY weekend, thus depriving ANYBODY else of using it, then there’s something definitely wrong.

You know: finders don’t always get to be keepers.

The thing to do, I’d say, is find out who oversees the use of park space in this case and complain, as odious as that may be.

Surely the park is meant for everyone’s use–particularly by the young.

Anyone know where Sqadron stands on equal marriage rights? I believe he’s solidly pro, but…..

First come, first serve. So long as they’re not using cleats or anything else against the rule, why shouldn’t they use the field? Just go on the other side if you want. You could also be something of a dick and just get there before them and setup a blanket in the middle of the field. Again, first come, first serve.

Thanks so much, Claude. I thought as much.

By the way, for any interested, this Sunday, May 17, there will be a rally held by New York City Marriage Equality at 6th Ave and 45th St. It’s co-sponsored by Broadway Cares, HRC, Civil Rights Front, and Empire State Pride Agenda.

Performances by:

Audra McDonald
Gavin Creel
Cheyenne Jackson
The Cast of HAIR

Appearances by:

Cynthia Nixon
Kristin Davis
David Hyde Pierce
Senator Tom Duane
Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell

Sounds like a good, energizing thing to attend.

Forgive this infomercial, but…..

Has anybody heard that the July 4th fireworks are being moved to the Hudson this year?

Thanks all for your thoughts on the field. Bart, sorry, I didn’t mean to sound harsh in my response to you. I do appreciate your thoughts. Alex, I agree that public space is public space, but to me it’s like a baseball team deciding to set up shop on the Sheep Meadow in Central Park and taking up the whole space. My issue is they use almost the entire turf. AEB, seems we are on the same page. nabeguy, I guess my Brownstoner reputation proceeds me :-). I have a feeling however that it is far more genteel on this blog.

Does anyone have an update on the wine bar (or lack thereof) that was scheduled to reopen on Henry? I thought I read on here that the bar was reopening in April. Or was it March? Regardless, brown paper has been up in the windows for weeks, and it seems no progress is being made. My neighbors and I want our wine bar back!

I am often annoyed by the complete over-running of Cadmen park with soccer players. I love soccer, my kids love soccer but these guys leave no room for anyone else. I have been there early in the middle of the field and been asked to move and then once their whole group gets there, its too dangerous to be anywhere near when play begins. Its not just the weekends, its now the early evening hours too! Im not interested in ruingin anyones game or getting confrontational with anyone but I think it would make sense to have a set schedule of times that soccer matches are allowed to take place.

Last year, I was able to bring my child to Cadman Plaza for picnics and fun in the early evening on week nights, and during the weekend. Now, it is too dangerous, pretty much at all times — there is nowhere to go. The balls are all over the place and it’s frightening.

Are people not using the park down the block from the soccer field for blankets and small children with wiffle bats? The round area with the path around it is perfect for that, and has been as long as I can remember (43 yrs)

cv, because it is a clean open spot (relatively speaking since I’ve seen dogs poop on the turn too) and all of the other areas are areas where dog owners often let their dogs loose to run around and poop, despite there being a dog run for that nearby.

I lodged a complaint via this link. If others also do so, maybe we can get some response on what to do to reclaim the space or at least have the soccer players use less of it.

http://nyc.gov/html/mail/html/maildpr.html